In the world of Detective Conan, many characters have multiple identities, and one of the most intriguing and complex is Zero. Known by different names and wearing several masks, Zero is an enigmatic figure who plays a crucial role in the series. He has captured the attention of fans with his sharp intelligence, multifaceted personality, and mysterious background. But who exactly is Zero, and how does he fit into the intricate plot of Detective Conan? To truly understand this character, we need to unravel his identities, motives, and key moments in the storyline.
Zero’s Real Identity
Zero is best known by his alias Toru Amuro, a skilled detective who works as a private investigator and part-time employee at Café Poirot, the coffee shop situated below the detective agency where Kogoro Mouri works. However, this is just one layer of his identity. Toru Amuro is not just an ordinary detective—he is a man with multiple layers, each more mysterious than the last.
Toru Amuro’s real name is Rei Furuya, and he hails from a Japanese law enforcement agency. This persona, however, is just one of the many masks he wears. What makes him a central figure in Detective Conan is his connection to the world of espionage, crime, and justice. As a member of Japan’s Public Security Bureau (PSB), Furuya is tasked with gathering intelligence and keeping tabs on those who may threaten national security, including the infamous Black Organization.
The Man Behind the Masks
Rei Furuya, who is also called Bourbon, is a highly trained operative working undercover within the Black Organization. His main goal is to bring down this shadowy group from the inside. To do this, he uses multiple identities, including that of Toru Amuro, to infiltrate various circles and obtain information. As a spy, Rei Furuya is incredibly talented, being able to maintain a perfect balance between his cover and his true mission.
His deep connection with the Black Organization raises the stakes for him, as being discovered would mean certain death. He plays a dangerous game of cat and mouse, all while keeping his true loyalties hidden. What makes him especially captivating is the fact that he must constantly juggle these various roles without letting anyone, not even the protagonists of the series, know who he really is.
The Role of Bourbon
Bourbon is the code name given to Rei Furuya by the Black Organization. As Bourbon, he serves as an intelligence agent for this criminal syndicate, which is dedicated to achieving its own nefarious goals through any means necessary. His infiltration into the Black Organization gives him access to vital information, allowing him to report back to the Public Security Bureau and further their efforts to dismantle the organization.
Bourbon is highly intelligent, capable of outwitting his enemies while maintaining a calm and composed demeanor. His interaction with other members of the Black Organization, such as Vermouth and Gin, adds tension to the plot as they slowly begin to suspect him, yet cannot fully prove his betrayal.
Zero
Rei Furuya is often referred to as “Zero” in certain circles, which represents more than just a code name. “Zero” is symbolic of his ultimate goal—absolute justice. As a member of the Public Security Bureau, Rei is a strong believer in justice and righteousness. Unlike the main protagonist, Conan Edogawa (Shinichi Kudo), who seeks to solve cases and bring criminals to justice, Rei Furuya’s vision of justice extends beyond simple law enforcement. He aims to eradicate corruption and crime at its root, particularly by dismantling organizations like the Black Organization.
The alias “Zero” is closely linked to his philosophy that justice should not be compromised by personal emotions or biases. His unwavering commitment to his cause sometimes puts him at odds with other characters, especially since his methods are more extreme and riskier than those of a typical detective.
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Toru Amuro and Kogoro Mouri
As Toru Amuro, Zero works alongside Kogoro Mouri, a famed detective in his own right, though often outshined by Conan’s brilliance. Amuro’s decision to work under Mouri is a strategic one. By keeping close to the famous detective, Amuro is able to gather valuable information while also maintaining his cover as a harmless, cheerful barista and detective-in-training. This façade allows him to operate freely without arousing suspicion from Mouri or Conan.
Interestingly, Amuro holds a deep admiration for Kogoro Mouri, calling him “Sensei” and genuinely respecting his detective skills despite Mouri’s reliance on Conan to solve most cases. This admiration is not merely a cover for his real identity; it also speaks to Amuro’s belief in Mouri’s abilities and his potential as an investigator.
Conflict with Shinichi Kudo (Conan Edogawa)
One of the more intriguing dynamics in the series is the subtle conflict between Rei Furuya (Zero) and Shinichi Kudo (Conan Edogawa). While both men are on the same side in their pursuit of justice, their methods and philosophies differ. Rei’s involvement with law enforcement means he operates with more flexibility in terms of legal boundaries, whereas Shinichi is more bound by moral principles. This difference in approach occasionally creates tension between the two.
Conan remains suspicious of Amuro for a long time, aware that there’s more to him than meets the eye. Despite their conflicting methods, they do share a mutual respect for each other’s abilities, and their interactions are often laced with subtle hints of admiration for each other’s deductive prowess.
Akai Shuichi and Vermouth
Zero’s complex character is further highlighted by his relationships with Akai Shuichi and Vermouth, two of the most notable figures in the series. Akai, an FBI agent who also infiltrated the Black Organization, is one of the few people who fully understands the dangerous line Zero walks between law enforcement and criminal underworlds. Their relationship is marked by mutual suspicion and rivalry, especially after Zero believes Akai was responsible for the death of a close friend.
Vermouth, a highly ranked and influential member of the Black Organization, shares a more mysterious relationship with Zero. Their interactions are loaded with tension, as both seem to recognize each other’s secrets but keep their knowledge hidden for tactical reasons. Vermouth’s cryptic demeanor and her close ties to key players in the organization make her a constant threat to Zero’s mission, though she often chooses not to expose him.
Zero’s Struggle with Personal Loss
Rei Furuya’s character is shaped by a deep-seated sense of justice that stems from personal tragedy. A key part of his backstory involves the death of his close friend, Scotch, another undercover agent within the Black Organization. Rei blames Akai Shuichi for Scotch’s death, which leads to a tense rivalry between the two. This personal loss drives Rei’s unrelenting pursuit of justice and adds an emotional dimension to his character, showing that even though he is a calculated and composed spy, he is not without personal struggles.
Conclusion
Zero, also known as Rei Furuya and Toru Amuro, is one of the most layered and multifaceted characters in Detective Conan. His ability to maintain multiple identities while pursuing justice from the shadows makes him a crucial figure in the series. As a member of the Public Security Bureau, his mission to infiltrate the Black Organization and bring it down from within adds tension, mystery, and intrigue to the plot. His relationships with key characters like Kogoro Mouri, Shinichi Kudo, Akai Shuichi, and Vermouth create complex dynamics that drive the story forward. Ultimately, Zero represents more than just an undercover agent; he embodies the ideal of unwavering justice, even when that justice requires stepping into the gray areas of morality.